EP3976461A1

EP3976461A1 - Underwater device and underwater system

Info

Publication number: EP3976461A1
Application number: EP20720836.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Vito Suppa; Michel Ricard
Original assignee: Thales SA
Current assignee: Thales SA
Priority date: 2019-05-29
Filing date: 2020-04-29
Publication date: 2022-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2040-04-29
Also published as: AU2020284367A1; EP3976461C0; FR3096653A1; CA3142178A1; SG11202113180RA; US20220234693A1; EP3976461B1; FR3096653B1; PL3976461T3; WO2020239346A1

Abstract

Handling device (10) comprising a winch (11) comprising a frame (12) intended to be attached to a structure of a surface vessel (B), and a first drum capable of turning relative to the frame (12) about a first axis of rotation and an assembly of at least one second drum (14) which surrounds the first drum and is capable of turning relative to the frame (12) about a second axis of rotation substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation, the winch (11) being capable of being in a decoupled state in which the first drum and the second drum are rotationally decoupled about the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation, so as to allow a traction cable to be wound around the first drum during a first winding step in which the first drum is rotated about the first axis, the second drum (14) being capable of being in an open state, in which the second drum (14) has a receiving opening (15) that a towed body (4) is capable of passing through in order to enter the space surrounding the first drum, said opening being surrounded by the second drum (14), the winch (11) being capable of being in a coupled state in which the first drum and the second drum (14) are rotationally coupled about the second axis of rotation so as to allow a flexible elongated body to be wound about the second axis of rotation during a second winding step in which the second drum (14) is rotated about the second axis.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title of the invention: SUBMARINE DEVICE AND SUBMARINE SYSTEM [0001] The field of the invention is that of the storage of underwater devices on a winch, on board surface vessels. It relates more particularly to the storage of underwater devices intended to be towed by the surface vessel and comprising a towing cable, a flexible elongate body intended to be towed by the towing cable and a towed body located between the towing cable and the elongated flexible body.

The invention relates more particularly to the field of storage of underwater devices of the active sonar type comprising a heavy towing cable connected to a towed body incorporating an acoustic emission antenna and connecting the towing cable to an elongated body flexible comprising a linear acoustic reception antenna. The towed body can be a solid body suspended from the towing cable or be able to take an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis and incorporating a linear transmitting antenna comprising transducers distributed along the longitudinal axis.

[0003] The towing cable and the linear receiving antenna have, unlike the generally rigid towed body incorporating the transmitting antenna, the advantage of being able to be easily wound around a winch.

[0004] Consequently, in the case of a transmitting antenna integrated in a hydrodynamically profiled solid body, the recovery and storage of the assembly are carried out by winding the towing cable on a drum of a winch, by going up on board the solid body, by unhooking the solid body from the towing cable and the linear receiving antenna, then hooking the towing cable to the flexible elongated body. The receiving linear antenna is finally wound around the same drum as the towing cable, while the solid body is stored separately on the ship's deck.

As can be seen, by virtue of its structural heterogeneity, such a system proves not to be easy to deploy, recover and store. It also requires the intervention of human operators, in particular for the various hooking and unhooking operations of the solid body, so that the deployment in heavy weather of such an assembly is not only difficult, but also potentially dangerous for the physical integrity of operators. This solution involving human operators cannot, moreover, be automated, which prevents its use from an autonomous surface vehicle also called “unmanned surface vehicles” or USV in Anglo-Saxon terminology.

[0006] One solution to limit human risks is to use equipment of the crane type which makes it possible to recover the solid body or a linear transmitting antenna directly in the water or at its outlet from the water and / or from provide automated means to ensure the unhooking of the solid body. However, this type of implementation is heavy and complex. An example of a solution of this type is disclosed in document US Pat. No. 9,001, 623. This solution comprises a winch around which the cable is wound, and a support on which the transmitting antenna is placed, behind the winch, with its longitudinal axis substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the winch, the receiving antenna is then wound around the winch after disconnection of the linear transmitting antenna by automatic means. However, this type of handling device does not allow the storage of sonar on small platforms, the transmitting antenna occupying a large space along the axis of the carrier vessel, behind the winch.

[0007] Another alternative is to tow the two antennas independently of each other, each with its independent towing cable and independent winch. However, this alternative is much larger and more expensive and is not compatible with small platforms.

[0008] Patent application FR 2 925 231 filed by the applicant discloses a handling device comprising a single winch coupled to a sonar in which the flexible transmitting linear antenna is configured and fixed to the traction cable and to the receiving antenna so as to extend vertically when towing and so as to wrap around a drum of the winch, just like the traction cable and the receiving antenna. However, the operational implementation of this solution requires adjustments and is dedicated to a light antenna that is difficult to achieve with a good level of performance, the heavy electroacoustic transducers making it possible to emit with a better sound level.

[0009] Patent application FR 2994559 filed by the applicant discloses a handling device comprising a winch configured to accommodate a transmitting antenna in the form of a solid body suspended from the cable in the volume delimited by the drum of the winch after winding around the traction cable around the drum and then allowing the linear receiving antenna to be wound around the drum. However, this solution is not suitable for the storage of rigid linear transmitting antennas and is reserved for a compact transmitting antenna emitting acoustic energy which is not focused in a horizontal plane which has lower energy efficiency.

[0010] An object of the invention is to limit at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

To this end, the invention relates to a handling device intended to be installed on a surface vessel to allow the storage and deployment of an underwater device intended to be towed by the surface vessel and comprising a towing cable, a flexible elongate body and a set of at least one towed body located between the flexible elongate body and the towing cable and intended to be pulled by the towing cable. The handling device comprises a winch comprising a frame, intended to be fixed to a structure of the surface building, and a first drum capable of rotating relative to the frame about a first axis of rotation and a set of at least one second drum surrounding the first drum and being able to rotate relative to the frame about a second axis of rotation substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation. The winch is able to be in a decoupling state in which the first drum and the second drum are decoupled in rotation about the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation, so as to allow the towing cable to be wound around the first drum during a first winding step during which the first drum is driven in rotation about the first axis, the second drum being able to be in an open state, in which the second drum has a receiving opening capable of be traversed by the towed body to penetrate inside the volume which surrounds the first drum and which is surrounded by the second drum. The winch is adapted to be in a state of coupling in which the first drum and the second drum are rotatably coupled about the second axis of rotation, so as to allow the flexible elongate body to be wound around the second axis of rotation during rotation. a second winding step during which the second drum is rotated about the second axis. [0012] The handling device advantageously comprises at least one of the characteristics listed below, taken alone or in combination.

Advantageously, the second drum is adapted to be in an angular receiving position, around the second axis relative to the frame, in which the receiving opening is intended to be crossed by the towing cable and the towed body during the first winding step.

[0014] Advantageously, the receiving opening is elongated along the first axis of rotation.

[0015] The first drum and the second drum can be concentric.

[0016] As a variant, the second axis of rotation is remote from the first axis of rotation.

[0017] The second drum may be adapted to be alternately in the open state and in a closed state in which the receiving opening is at least partially closed. Alternatively, the second drum is only suitable for being in the open state.

Advantageously, the handling device comprises a slicing device capable of ordering a winding of the towing cable on the winch, the slicing device comprising two lateral deflectors spaced along the first axis of rotation, the slicing device being capable of being in a trancanning state in which a small distance separates the side deflectors along the first axis of rotation and in a receiving state in which a greater distance separates the deflectors.

[0019] The handling device can include one or more second drums.

[0020] In a particular embodiment, at least a second drum comprises a cover movable relative to a first part of the second drum, the cover being adapted to be in a first position in which the cover opens the second drum so that 'it comprises the receiving opening and in a second position in which the cover substantially closes the receiving opening so that the second drum has substantially a cylindrical shape.

[0021] The invention also relates to an underwater system comprising the handling device and the underwater device. In a particular embodiment, the towed body incorporates an antenna for transmitting acoustic waves and the flexible elongate body comprises a receiving antenna comprising a plurality of electro-acoustic transducers distributed along the flexible elongate body.

In one example, the towed body is a body elongated along a longitudinal axis, the transmitting antenna comprising a plurality of electro-acoustic transducers distributed along the longitudinal axis.

[0024] In another example, the towed body is a compact hydrodynamic body having a generally flattened shape and being suspended from the towing cable when the handling device is deployed.

Advantageously, the handling device is configured so as to allow the towed body to be stored in a volume surrounding the first drum. This volume is surrounded by the second drum without the towed body leaving the volume radially.

Advantageously, the underwater system is configured so that, during the first winding step, the towed body passes through the receiving opening in an orientation in which the longitudinal axis I is substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation x1 and / or so that the towed body 4 arrives close to the supporting vessel in the orientation in which the longitudinal axis I is substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation x1.

[0027] Advantageously, the handling device is configured to implement the following steps, during a method of storing the initially deployed underwater device:

- the first winding step in which the first drum of the winch, being in the decoupling state, is rotated around the first axis of rotation with respect to the frame so as to wind the towing cable around the first drum, the towing cable passing through the receiving opening, and so that the towed body enters the volume delimited by the second drum through the receiving opening,

- Followed by a winding step in which the second drum of the winch, being in the coupling state, is rotated about the second axis of rotation so as to wind the flexible linear element around the second drum. The underwater device can include one or more towed bodies.

[0029] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following detailed description, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0030] [Fig.1] Figure 1 shows schematically an underwater system according to the invention comprising a handling device according to the invention and an underwater device,

[0031] [Fig.2] Figure 2 shows schematically a first embodiment of a handling device according to the invention,

[0032] [Fig.3] Figure 3 shows schematically different phases of a process for storing or recovering an underwater device by the handling device according to the invention,

[0033] [Fig.4] Figure 4 shows schematically a diagram of the steps of a storage process according to the invention,

[0034] [Fig.5] Figure 5 shows schematically an underwater system comprising a handling device according to a second embodiment, during a towing phase of the underwater device,

[0035] [Fig.6] Figure 6 shows schematically an underwater system comprising a handling device according to a second embodiment, during a phase of recovery of the underwater device by the handling device,

[0036] [Fig.7] Figure 7 schematically shows an underwater system comprising a handling device according to a second embodiment, during a storage phase of the underwater device by the handling device,

[0037] [Fig.8] Figure 8 shows schematically a trancanning device of a handling device according to the invention in a trancanning state,

[0038] [Fig.9] Figure 9 schematically shows a trancanning device of a handling device according to the invention in the trancanning state after translation of the side deflectors, [0039] [Fig.10] Figure 10 schematically shows a trancanning device of a handling device according to the invention in a receiving state,

[0040] [Fig.1 1] Figure 11 schematically shows an example of a towed body of different shape from that of Figures 1 to 7,

[0041] [Fig.12] Figure 12 shows schematically an underwater device comprising several towed bodies,

[0042] [Fig.13] Figure 13 schematically shows an underwater device comprising several towed bodies interconnected in a manner different from those of Figure 12.

[0043] From one figure to another, the same elements are identified by the same references.

The invention relates, as can be seen in FIG. 1, to a handling device 10 with a winch, capable of storing an underwater device 1 intended to be installed on a surface vessel B intended to tow the underwater device. sailor 1, via handling device 10.

The invention relates more particularly to a handling device 10 capable of storing an underwater device 1 of the type comprising a towing cable 2, a flexible elongate body 3, intended to be towed by the towing cable 2, and a body towed 4. The towing cable may, for example, be a bare cable, a sheathed cable, or a ducted cable.

The tractor cable 2 advantageously has negative buoyancy. This is called a heavy cable. The weight of the cable then makes it possible to position the towed body in depth.

The towed body 4 is disposed between the towing cable 2 and the flexible elongate body 3. In other words, the towing cable 2 is connected to the flexible elongate body via the towed body 4. In this way, the towed body is intended to be towed, in the submerged state, by the towing cable 2 and reaches the handling device 10 after the towing cable 2 and before the flexible elongated body 3 during a storage process, on board the surface vessel, of the device submarine 1, initially deployed and towed by the surface vessel B. The storage method enables the underwater device to be stored by the handling device 10 on board the surface building B. The problem of simple and compact storage of this type of underwater devices arises.

The towed body 4 may, for example, have an elongated shape so as to extend longitudinally along a longitudinal axis I, as in the example of Figure 1. The longitudinal axis I is, for example, intended to extend along a vertical axis z when towing. The vertical z axis is defined by the force of gravity. This is an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the sea surface in a calm sea state which then defines a horizontal plane. This type of elongated object has much smaller dimensions, than along the longitudinal axis, in the other two orthogonal directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0049] The elongated body has, for example, a dimension greater than the diameter of the towing cable in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the towing cable and to that of the flexible elongate body near the towed body.

As a variant, the towed body is, for example, in the form of a hydrodynamic body, said compact, suspended from the towing cable and having a generally flattened shape, that is to say having larger dimensions according to two directions orthogonal to a horizontal plane than along a vertical axis, when this body 4 is towed by the towing cable 2.

The handling device is, in particular, intended to store an underwater device, of the active sonar system type, comprising a towing cable 2 with negative buoyancy, a towed body 4 incorporating an antenna for transmitting acoustic waves 40 and a flexible elongated body 3, with neutral buoyancy, comprising a linear receiving antenna 50 comprising a plurality of electro-acoustic transducers distributed along the elongated flexible body 3. The elongated flexible body 3 comprises an intermediate cable 31 of neutral buoyancy connecting the 'receiving antenna 50 of neutral buoyancy to the towed body 4 and / or a tail line 32 of neutral buoyancy connected to the towed body 4 and / or to the intermediate cable 31 by the receiving antenna 50.

The towed body 4 is, for example, an elongated body extending longitudinally along a longitudinal axis I and incorporating a linear transmission antenna 40 comprising a plurality of electro-acoustic transducers 41 distributed along the longitudinal axis I. In other words, this towed body 4 is intended not to deform during towing, recovery on board the surface vessel and storage on board the surface vessel.

[0053] A linear transmitting antenna is conventionally intended to be towed in a vertical orientation in which the longitudinal axis I is vertical, so as to emit acoustic waves mainly in a horizontal plane as shown in Figure 1. The handling device and the underwater device can be configured so that the towed body 4 incorporating this type of antenna approaches a drum of the handling device around which the towing cable 2 is wound around, in an orientation in in which its longitudinal axis I is substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the drum, as shown in FIG. 2 and as we will see below. To this end, the towed body 4 is, for example, connected to the cable 2 and to the flexible elongated body 3 via lines 6, 7, 8, 9.

In the non-limiting embodiment of the figures, the towed body 4 is rigid so as not to be deformed during its use, that is to say when towing the submerged sonar device, during the recovery of the device submarine and when it is launched.

The towed body 4 can be cylindrical or be hydrodynamically profiled. It may have the overall shape of a drop of water in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis I, like the towed body 400 shown in Figure 1 1.

[0056] It can be provided with a hydrodynamic coating having, without limitation, a veil shape 5, as shown in FIG. 5. This coating has not been shown in FIGS. 6 to 7 for greater clarity. The sail 5 is, for example, installed between lines 8 and 9 connecting the towed body 4 to the flexible elongated body 3. This sail makes it possible to limit the vibrations induced by vortexes. Other types of hydrodynamic coatings such as, for example, sheaths provided with hair or inflatable sails can be provided.

[0057] A transmitting antenna can alternatively be integrated into a compact body suspended from the towing cable 2 when the underwater device is deployed.

The following description presents the characteristics of the handling device according to the invention in its application to the storage of an active sonar with a linear transmission antenna. This particular application allows to highlight evidence the advantageous character of the invention in general. The characteristics presented here are in no way specific to this particular application and form an integral part of the invention whatever the application considered.

An example of an underwater system comprising a handling device 10 according to the invention is shown schematically in perspective in FIG. 2 and in side views in FIG. 3 in successive phases 1 to 4 of a method for storing the underwater device 1 by means of handling device 10 to store the underwater device on board the surface vessel. It should be noted that FIG. 2 represents a phase located between phases 2 and 3 visible in FIG. 3.

The handling device 10 comprises a winch 1 1 comprising a frame 12 visible only in Figure 2. The frame 12 is intended to be fixed to a structure S of the building surface B.

According to the invention, the winch 1 1 comprises a first drum 13 adapted to rotate relative to the frame 12 about a first axis of rotation x1 and a second drum 14 surrounding the first drum 13 and being able to rotate by relative to the frame 12 around a second axis of rotation x2. Drums 13 and 14 are concentric in the non-limiting embodiment of Figures 2 and 3 so that the x2 axis is the x1 axis.

The second drum 14, surrounding the first drum 13, has a larger diameter than the first drum 13.

The winch 1 1 is adapted to be in a decoupling state in which the first drum 13 is adapted to be driven in rotation about the axis of rotation x1 relative to the frame 12 and is decoupled from the second drum 14 in rotation around the first axis of rotation x1 and around the second axis of rotation x2.

This makes it possible to wind the tractor cable 2 around the first drum 13 during a first winding step during which the first drum 13 is rotated around the first axis x1 with respect to the frame 12.

The second drum 14 is suitable, at least when the winch is in the decoupling state, to be in an open state, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 (phases 1 and 2), wherein the second drum 14 has a receiving opening 15. The receiving opening 15 is capable of being crossed by the towed body 4 to penetrate inside the volume 140 delimited by the drums 13 and 14. This volume surrounds the first drum 13 and is surrounded by the second drum 14.

The second drum 14 defines a substantially cylindrical internal volume, the diameter of which corresponds to the diameter of the second drum.

The winch 1 1 is adapted to be in a coupling state in which the first drum 13 and the second drum 14 are coupled in rotation about the second axis of rotation x2.

[0068] Preferably, the drums 13 and 14 are integral in rotation about the second axis when the winch 11 is in the coupling state.

Thus, by driving the second drum 14 in rotation relative to the frame 12, around the axis x2, when the winch 11 is in the coupling state, once the towed body 4 is stored in the volume 140, the flexible elongated body 3 wraps around the second drum 14.

Thus, the handling device 10 according to the invention makes it possible to store, in a limited volume and on a single winch 11, a towing cable 2 and an active sonar with linear transmission antenna 3, 4. The control device handling according to the invention makes it possible to store the towing cable 2 around the first drum 13, the linear transmitting antenna in the volume 140.

This invention is particularly advantageous when the towed body 4 has at least one dimension greater than that of the cable and that of the flexible elongate element in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cable in the vicinity of the towed body or is unsuitable for wrapping around drums due to a certain flexural rigidity.

This handling device is less expensive, less bulky and less heavy than a device which includes separate winches for storing on the one hand the towing cable and on the other hand the flexible elongated body.

In general, the invention is particularly advantageous for the storage, on board the surface vessel B, of underwater devices, of the type of that of Figures 2 and 3 comprising a towed body 4 intended to be stored without to deform, from an initial situation totally submerged. The invention is particularly suitable for storing this type of underwater device when the underwater device and the handling device are configured so that the towed body 4 can pass through or through the opening 15 during the first winding step, for example to come to rest on the first drum 13 around which it is wound the towing cable 2, in an orientation in which its longitudinal axis I is substantially parallel to an axis of rotation x1 of the first drum 13.

Indeed, the shape of a drum 14 allows to provide a receiving opening 15 having the shape of a slot extending longitudinally along the axis x1 as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a towed body 4 elongated can cross with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the axis x1, during the first winding step, without undergoing deformation. The device thus makes it possible to produce towed bodies with a linear transmission antenna that are relatively heavy and long and not deformable.

Advantageously (but not necessarily), as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the receiving opening 15 extends substantially over the entire length of the second drum 14 along the first axis of rotation x1. Alternatively, the receiving opening 15 extends over part of the length of the second drum 14 along the first axis of rotation x1.

Advantageously, the second drum 14 is able to be positioned, and preferably immobilized, in an angular reception position, around the second axis x2, in which the reception opening 15 is crossed by the towing cable 2 during the first winding step, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. As the cable 2 and the towed body can enter the volume 140 through the same receiving opening 15, the storage of the underwater device does not require manual or automatic operation to unhook the towed body 4 from the towing cable 2.

Advantageously, the same plane perpendicular to the x1 axis is located at an equal distance from the two longitudinal ends of the first drum 13 and at an equal distance from the two longitudinal ends of the second drum 14.

Advantageously, the first drum 13 and the second drum 14 have the same length along the axis x1. The second drum 14 surrounds the first drum over the entire length of first drum 13 along the x1 axis. As a variant, the drums 13 and 14 are offset with respect to one another along the axis x1.

As a variant, the second drum 14 is longer than the first drum 13 along the axis x1 which enables a greater length of flexible elongate body 3 to be wound up, or conversely, the second drum 14 is shorter than the first drum 13 along the axis x1, which makes it possible to wind a greater length of towing cable 2.

Advantageously, the towed body 4 is able to enter the volume 140 through the receiving opening 15 to be stored in the volume 140 without leaving radially (with respect to the axis x2) of the volume 140. Otherwise Said, the towed body 4 is inside the diameter cylinder of the second drum, formed around x2 along the entire length of the second drum. The winding of the flexible elongated body 3 around the second drum 14 after storing the towed body 4 in the volume 140 is then not hampered by the towed body 4.

Advantageously, the towed body 4 is able to enter the volume 140 through the receiving opening 15 to be stored in the volume 140 without leaving radially (relative to the axis x2) of the volume 140 once that the traction cable is wound around the first drum 13.

In Figures 3 and 7, the towed body 4 is able to be fully stored in the volume 140. As a variant, the towed body 4 could protrude from the volume 140 along the axis x2, for example, when the tow body 4 is longer than the second drum 14.

The invention also relates to a storage method and to a method for deploying the underwater device, able to be implemented by the handling device according to the invention. The handling device can be configured to implement these methods when a recovery or launching condition is verified, for example, when a control device of the handling device receives an order to store or respectively to deployment.

The storage (or recovery) process comprises different phases shown in Figures 2 and 3 and repeated in Figure 4.

The method of storing (or recovering) the underwater device, initially deployed and connected to the first drum via the towing cable 2, comprises: - A first winding step 100 during which the winch 11 is in the decoupling state, the first drum 13 being driven in rotation about the axis of rotation x1, relative to the frame 12 so as to wind up the towing cable 2, during a step 101, around the first drum 13 (phases 1 and 2 of FIG. 3), the towing cable 2 passing through the receiving opening 15 or, in a less advantageous variant, through another opening made in the second drum 14,

- a step of inserting the towed body 4 into the volume 140, during a step 102 (phase 3 of Figure 3), through the receiving opening 15,

- A second winding step 120 (phase 4 of Figure 3) during which the winch 11 is in the coupling state, the second drum 14 being rotated around the second axis of rotation x2 so that the flexible linear element 3 comes to wrap around the second drum 14.

Step 102 may be, in a first case, a second sub-step 102 of the first winding step 100 or, in a second case, a separate step from the first winding step 100.

In other words, in a first case, when the winch 11 is in the decoupling state, the first drum 13 being driven in rotation around the axis of rotation x1, the traction cable 2 is wound around the first drum 13 (phases 1 and 2 of Figure 3) passing through the receiving opening 15 then the towed body 4 passes through the receiving opening 15, under the effect of the drive of the first drum 13 in rotation around the axis of rotation x1 (phase 3 of FIG. 3), to enter the volume 140 delimited by the second drum 14.

For this purpose, the second drum 14 is able to be positioned, and preferably immobilized, in a so-called receiving angular position, around the axis x2, in which the receiving opening 15 is likely to be crossed by the towing cable 2 and the towed body 4, during the first winding step. The reception opening 15 must then be dimensioned so that the towed body can pass through it during the first winding step according to the orientation in which it is presented with respect to the opening. Advantageously, if the first winding step continues, the towed body 4 bears on the first drum 13, under the effect of the driving of the first drum 13 in rotation about the axis x1.

[0090] In the second winding step 120, the second drum 14 is rotated about the x2 axis in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the first drum 13 during the first winding step 100.

The method of storing an initially deployed underwater device is thus easily automated, which avoids the intervention of a human operator and the associated risks and allows the storage of the underwater device on board. 'a USV.

In the second case, the towed body 4 does not enter the volume 140 through the receiving opening 15 under the effect of the rotation of the first drum 13 around the axis x1. The step 102 of inserting the towed body 4 into the volume 140 by passing through the receiving opening 15 can be carried out subsequent to the first winding step, for example, by a human operator or a tool.

A diagram of the storage method implemented in the first case is shown in Figure 4. This method comprises the following steps performed in the following order:

- Decoupling 80 the first drum 13 from the second drum 14 in rotation of the axes x1 and x2 relative to the frame 12 to put the winch 11 in the decoupling state, this step is implemented by coupling / decoupling means of the winch 1 1,

- Immobilize 90 the second drum 14 in the open state, in rotation with respect to the frame 12 about its axis of rotation x2 in the receiving angular position, this step is implemented by immobilization means, such as for example a brake, a centering finger or a gear,

- the first winding step 100 comprising the first sub-step 101 for winding the towing cable and the sub-step 102,

- A coupling step 110, the first drum 13 and the second drum 14 in rotation about the second axis of rotation x2 relative to the frame 12 to put the winch 1 1 in the coupling state. This step is implemented by the coupling / decoupling means,

- the second winding step 120.

In the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, the drums 13 and 14 are concentric. This embodiment makes it possible to provide a simple and light handling device. The two drums can, for example, be driven in rotation relative to the frame, when the winch is in the state of decoupling and in the state of coupling, by a same shaft which is itself driven in rotation by a single motor. The coupling / decoupling means can be made very simply by mounting the first drum integral with the shaft, by mounting the second drum in a pivot connection on the first shaft and by providing a coupler making it possible to make the second drum alternately integral with the shaft and free to rotate around the axis of rotation x1 with respect to the shaft.

The coupling / decoupling means, just like the first coupling / decoupling means which will be described later, are, for example, conventional means for those skilled in the art which are, for example, produced in the form of a clutch or else based on a brake coupled to a jaw integral with one of the parts or else on a motor coupled to a toothed ring gear or even a connecting pin.

The handling device with concentric drums is particularly suitable for storing an underwater device 1 having a towed body 4, for example a linear transmitting antenna, produced in the form of a cylindrical object with a circular section or not, for example with a section substantially in the form of a drop of water. The cylindrical towed body 4 can come to rest on a winding of the towing cable 2, previously produced around the first drum 13, on each turn of a layer of this winding, which is favorable to good stability of the towed body 4 on the first drum 13.

When, during the first winding step, a towed body 4 comes to rest on the first drum 13 under the effect of the rotation of the first drum, that is to say under the effect of the traction exerted on the towed body, by the cable 2 during this rotation, directly or via a fastening system connecting the towed body to the cable, the traction exerted by the cable keeps the body resting on the first drum 13 without it being necessary to provide fixing means for fixing the towed body 4 to the first drum 13. This traction is maintained during the second winding step. This avoids human intervention to ensure this fixation or costly means to protect the body from possible shocks which could be due to destabilization of the body. Moreover, this type of towed body can be stored in a compact volume formed around the drum 13.

The handling device is able to implement a method of deploying the device according to the invention initially stored by the handling device. The deployment process includes the following steps:

- A first deployment step, during which the second drum 14, of the winch 11 which is in the coupling state, is rotated around the second axis of rotation so as to unwind the flexible elongate body of the second drum 14 ,

a step of removing the towed body 4 from the volume delimited by the second drum 14,

- A second deployment step, during which the first drum 13 of the winch 11 which is in the decoupling state, is rotated about the axis of rotation x1, relative to the frame 12 so as to come unwind the towing cable 2 from the first drum 13.

The first deployment step is advantageously preceded by the coupling step 110 and the exit step from the towed body is advantageously preceded by the decoupling step 80 and possibly by the immobilization step 90.

[0100] The towed body exit stage can be part of the second deployment stage. This second deployment step is then carried out by driving the first drum 13 in rotation around the first axis x1 so as to extract the towed body from the volume delimited by the second drum 14 through the receiving opening 15 then so as to unwind the towing cable 2 from the first drum 13.

[0101] Alternatively, the exit step can precede the second deployment step.

In the second embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 7, the winch 21 1 differs from the winch 1 1 of the previous figures in that the axis x1 is distant from the x2 axis. This embodiment makes it possible to store, in the volume delimited by the second drum 214 an object of large dimensions in the plane perpendicular to the axis x1 without having to increase the diameter of the second drum 214 significantly and / or to store a towed body of complex shape.

[0103] The axes are, for example, spaced apart along a horizontal axis, in calm sea conditions, and perpendicular to the x1 axis.

[0104] The first drum 13 is, for example, rotatably mounted around an x1 axis shaft attached to the second drum 214, for example to a shell 212 of the second drum 214. The shell 212 will be described later.

[0105] The coupling / decoupling means may comprise first coupling / decoupling means allowing alternately to secure and separate the first drum 13 from the shaft on which it is mounted and means for immobilizing the second drum, around the axis x2 relative to the frame 12 alternately making it possible to secure and separate the second drum from the frame in rotation about the axis x2. The state of decoupling is obtained by decoupling the first drum 13 from the shaft around the axis x1 and by immobilizing the second drum 214 around the axis x2 relative to the frame 12. The state of coupling is obtained by coupling the first drum 13 to the shaft. A first motor is provided to enable the first drum 13 to be driven in rotation about the axis x1 relative to the frame. A second motor is provided to allow the second drum 214 to be driven in rotation about the x2 axis relative to the frame.

[0106] In the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, the second drum 14 has, as shown in Figure 3, a shell 114 having the shape of a generally cylindrical shell in which the receiving opening 15 is formed.

[0107] The drum 14 of Figures 2 and 3 is adapted to be only in the open state. The second drum 14 is configured so that winding an elongated flexible member 3 around the second drum 14 is possible when the second drum 14 is in the open state.

Advantageously, the receiving opening 1 15 extends over an angle less than or equal to 20 ° and, preferably, less than or equal to 15 ° to allow correct winding of the flexible elongate body 3 around the second drum 14 . Alternatively, the winch 11 of Figures 2 and 3 could be able to be alternately in the open state and in a closed state in which the receiving opening is at least partially closed as shown in Figures 5 to 7 Winding of the flexible elongate element is then possible only in the closed state or in the closed state and in the open state.

[01 10] In the embodiment of Figures 5 to 7, the handling device 210 differs from the handling device of Figures 2 and 3, in particular by the second drum 214 which differs from the second drum 14 of Figures 2 and 3, in that that it is suitable for being alternately in an open state, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, in which it has a receiving opening 215 through which the towed body 4 can pass to penetrate inside the volume 240 delimited by the second drum 214 and the first drum 13 and surrounding the first drum 13, and in a closed state, as shown in Figure 7, in which the receiving opening 215 is at least partially closed. This could also be the case for coaxial drums, as could the more precise device and method characteristics described below, taken alone or in combination. This type of configuration makes it possible to provide a large reception opening in the drum and thus to receive, inside the volume delimited by the second drum 214, large towed bodies, for example in a plane perpendicular to the axis. x2. Furthermore, a large opening leaves more room for possible handling of the towed body by a machine or an operator.

[01 1 1] The second drum 214 comprises a movable cover 213 relative to a first part 212 of the second drum 214 and adapted to be in a first position (Figures 5 and 6) in which the cover 213 opens the second drum 214 of so that it comprises the receiving opening 215 and in a second position (FIG. 7) in which the cover 213 substantially closes the receiving opening 15 so that the second drum 214 has a substantially cylindrical shape. A residual slot advantageously allows a connection zone to pass between the towed body and the flexible elongate body 3 or the flexible elongate body 3.

[01 12] In the nonlimiting example of Figures 5 to 7, the second drum 214 comprises a shell 212 having substantially the shape of an angular portion of a cylinder formed around the axis x2. The shell 212 extends angularly around the axis x2, from a first axial edge 216 substantially parallel to the axis x2 up to a second axial edge 217 substantially parallel to the axis x2. The cover 213 has a shape substantially complementary to the shell 212 and is mounted to pivot with respect to the shell 212 about an axis of rotation of the cover x3 parallel to the axis x2 near the edge 216 so that the cover 213 is able to move from the first position shown in Figure 5 to the second position shown in Figure 7 by a rotation relative to the first part about the axis x3.

[01 13] The storage (or recovery) process comprises an opening step, implemented by opening means or by an operator, to change the second drum from the closed state to the open state. . This opening step can be implemented before the first winding step 100 or else during or after the first winding step but before step 102. The method comprises, after step 102 and, before l 'step 120, a step of closing the second drum 214 to allow the winding of the elongated element 3 around the second drum after step 101.

[01 14] In the embodiment of Figures 5 to 7, the step 102 of inserting the towed body 4 into the volume 140 by passing through the receiving opening 15 is carried out subsequent to the first winding step, for example, by a human operator or a tool. Alternatively, step 102 is performed during the first winding step under the effect of the rotation of the first drum about the x1 axis.

[01 15] The handling device advantageously comprises fixing means SF, SP, as shown in Figure 7, of the towed body 4 to the second drum 214 and, more particularly, to the hull 212, configured to make the towed body integral of the second drum 14 in rotation about the axis x2. These fixing means comprise, for example, a support SP intended to support the towed body 4 and fixed with respect to the hull 212 or with respect to the cover and means of fixing SF of the towed body 4 to the support SP. This type of means can also be provided when the drums are coaxial.

[01 16] The second drum 214 capable of being in the open and closed state is, for example, configured, as in Figures 5 and 6, so that the winding of a flexible elongate body, for example the body 3, around the second drum 214 is impossible in the open state and possible in the closed state. [01 17] As a variant, the second drum is configured so that the winding of a cable around the second drum is possible in the open state and in the closed state. The cover is, for example, of the rotating shutter type, having, for example, the shape of a cylinder portion with a diameter very slightly less than the diameter of the second drum and capable of pivoting around the axis x2 to come close. or open the second drum.

[01 18] As shown in Figure 2, the winch can include two flanges F1, F2 delimiting the drums along the x1 axis. Advantageously, at least one flange has an opening O allowing an operator to access the volume 140 so as to allow maintenance of the towed body 4 stored in the volume 140. This type of means can also be provided when the drums are coaxial.

[01 19] In an advantageous embodiment, shown in Figures 8 to 10, the winch 11 comprises a slicing device T for winding in an orderly manner the cable 2 around the first drum and the flexible elongate body 3 around the second drum 14 depending on the state (state of decoupling or, respectively, state of coupling of the winch 1 1), during the drive of the drum concerned in rotation around its axis of rotation relative to the frame 12. For more than clarity, the receiving opening 15 is not shown in Figures 8 to 10.

[0120] The cross-cutting device T comprises two side deflectors 61 and 62 spaced along the axis of rotation x1. The trancanning device T is suitable for being in at least one trancanning state shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in which a first distance separates the lateral deflectors 61, 62 along the axis x1 so as to form a guide in which the cable 2, or respectively the elongated flexible element 3, is intended to slide so as to wind around the drum 13, or respectively the drum 14, of the winch 1 1 when the latter is rotated around its axis of rotation.

[0121] The trancanning device T (also called "spooling gear" or "winding device" in English terminology) in its trancanning state, makes it possible to correctly position the flexible elongated body 3 or the cable 2 on the drum concerned in order to that the turns generated during its winding around the drum concerned are arranged in an orderly manner, that is to say turn by turn, so that two adjacent turns are contiguous, and layer by layer. The function of the guide formed by the deflectors 61, 62 in the trancanning state is to guide the flexible elongated object so as to ensure that the portion of the flexible elongate body presented to the drum is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drum to allow a correct arrangement of the turns.

[0123] The slicing device T comprises guide means for guiding the deflectors 61, 62 parallel to the axis x1.

[0124] The cross-cutting device T also comprises drive means 64, 65, making it possible to drive the deflectors along the x1 axis, in the same first direction at the same speed, for example to go from FIG. 8 to FIG. 9, so that the distance between the deflectors 61, 62 along the x1 axis remains the same when moving the deflectors 61, 62 along the x1 axis in a first direction. This also applies in the reverse direction.

[0125] In order to allow the towed body 4 to pass through the receiving opening 15, the cross-cutting device T is configured so as to be able to be in a receiving state, as shown in FIG. 10, in which the distance separating the deflectors 61 and 62 along the x1 axis is greater than in the cross-cutting state, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. This allows a towed body 4 elongated along the longitudinal axis I substantially parallel to the first axis x1 to pass between the two deflectors 61 and 62 without being blocked in order to be able to pass through the opening 15.

[0126] Advantageously, a distance greater than the length of the towed body (along the axis I) is capable of separating the deflectors 61, 62 along the axis x1.

[0127] For this purpose, the drive means 64, 65 comprise two separate drive devices 64 and 65. Each drive device 64 or 65 makes it possible to drive one of the deflectors 61 or 62 in translation independently of the other deflector with respect to the frame 12 along the axis x1 so that the cross-cutting device T is able to be in a receiving state in which a greater distance than in the cross-cutting state separates the two deflectors 61 and 62.

[0128] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment shown schematically in Figures 8 to 10, the guide means comprise two guide devices each placing one of the deflectors in sliding connection with the frame 12 along an axis substantially parallel to the x1 axis. Each guide device comprises a threaded rod 66 or 67 in helical connection with one of the deflectors 61 or 62. To this end, the deflector concerned comprises a nut engaged with a thread of the threaded rod 66 or 67. The threaded rod 66 or 67 is connected to the frame 12 by a pivot connection allowing the threaded rod 66 or 67 to rotate relative to the frame 12 about a longitudinal axis of the threaded rod 66 or 67. This longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the axis x1 . The deflector 61 or 62 is further connected to the frame 12 by a connection preventing the deflector 61 or 62 from rotating relative to the frame 12 about the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod 66 or 67.

[0129] Each drive device 64 or 65 comprises a rotary motor coupled to the threaded rod 66 or 67 engaged with one of the deflector 61 or 62. The rotation of the threaded rod 66 or 67 in rotation in one direction drives the displacement in translation of the deflector 61 or 62 in a direction parallel to the axis x1 and the rotation of the threaded rod 66 or 67 in the opposite direction causes the displacement in translation of the deflector 61 or 62 in the other direction parallel to the axis x1.

[0130] As an alternative to the rotary motor, one can provide a drive device which is, for example, of the type, linear motor or rack or jack or pendulum attachment.

[0131] The invention also relates to an underwater system comprising the handling device according to the invention and the underwater device. The towing cable 2 of the underwater device is suitable for being connected to the first drum 13 so as to be able to come to be wound around the first drum when the first drum is driven in rotation around its axis of rotation with respect to the axis x1 while the winch is in the decoupling state.

[0132] As can be seen in FIG. 5, the towed body 4 advantageously extends, along the longitudinal axis, from a first longitudinal end 42 of the towed body 4 to a second longitudinal end 43 of the towed body 4. The first end longitudinal 42 is advantageously integral with the second longitudinal end 43.

[0133] Thus, the linear transmitting antenna 40 integrated in the body 4 does not deform either during towing by the surface vessel when it is totally submerged, or during the recovery of the antenna on board the vessel. surface, nor during its storage on board the surface vessel. This configuration makes it possible to know precisely the characteristics of the emission pattern of the antenna. This configuration facilitates the technical production of the sonar device by ensuring the alignment of the electroacoustic transducers. Tedious steps to adjust the sonar system to ensure this geometry when towing are not necessary.

A towed device, which is the towed body 4 in the non-limiting example of the figures, is configured and connected to the towing cable 2 and to the body 3 so that the towed body is able to adopt a substantially vertical orientation (I substantially parallel to z) when (the towed body) is towed via the cable 2 while being totally submerged.

In order to facilitate obtaining a vertical orientation of the linear transmitting antenna 40 in operation, the towed device, for example the towed body 4 in the example of the figures, is balanced so as to present, hydrostatic equilibrium, i.e. when subjected only to the force of gravity and Archimedean thrust, a hydrostatic equilibrium orientation in which the longitudinal axis I is substantially vertical (parallel to the axis z) and in which the first longitudinal end 42 of the towed body 4 has a greater depth than its second longitudinal end 43. In other words, in this orientation of hydrostatic balance, the first longitudinal end 42 is further from the level mean of the sea surface than the second longitudinal end 43.

[0136] For this purpose, the towed body 4 comprises, for example, a ballast of density greater than the density of the water near the first longitudinal end 42 and a float having a positive buoyancy near the second longitudinal end 43.

[0137] As a variant, the towed body comprises a ballast with a density greater than the density of the water near the first longitudinal end 42 or a float exhibiting positive buoyancy near the second longitudinal end 43. [0138] The towed body 4 can have a substantially neutral buoyancy, but this is not essential. As a variant, the towed body 4 has negative buoyancy which allows it to reach greater depths.

In the embodiment of the figures, the towed device is the towed body 4.

[0140] In a variant, the towed device comprises the towed body and a set of at least one ballast and / or a set of at least one float. The towed body being configured and the set of at least one ballast and / or the set of at least one float being configured and connected to the towed body 4 so that the towed body has the required orientation (I substantially vertical ) at hydrostatic balance.

[0141] The underwater device further comprises an attachment device, comprising, as shown in Figure 5, a first hanger 6 and a second hanger 7 having substantially the same length, and each connecting the towing cable 2 to the towed body 4. In other words, the length of the two lines differs at most 5% from the length of one of the lines.

If the lengths between the lines differ slightly while respecting the tolerance of 5%, the first line 6 has a length less than or equal to the length of the second line 7 for good control of the orientation of the towed body but the The lines preferably have the same length for better control of the orientation of the towed body.

[0143] The lines are flexible elongated bodies. These are, for example, cables, or ropes, bands or chains. Each line can be a portion of a flexible element longer than the line, extending beyond the first end and / or the second end of the line or a flexible element of the same length as the line.

[0144] The lines 6 and 7 each have a fixed or invariable length. In other words, the lines do not extend during launching, recovery, storage and towing operations of the underwater device. This embodiment has the advantage of being simple, economical and robust. It does not require a mechanism to vary the lengths of the lines.

[0145] As a variant, at least one of the two lines 6 and 7 has a variable length. For example, lines 6 and 7 have a variable length ^ On can thus vary the length of one or more lines during the recovery or the launching of the towed body.

[0146] In one variant, the towed device comprises the lines 6 and 7 and one of the lines comprises a ballast and the other line comprises a float so that the towed body has a vertical orientation when the towed body 4 is towed by the tractor cable 2.

[0147] The towing cable 2 comprises a first end, intended to be connected to the surface building B and more particularly to the handling device 210, and a second end 2b connected to a first end 6a of the first hanger 6. A second end 6b of the first hanger 6 is attached to the towed body at a first attachment point 44 of the towed body 4 located near the first longitudinal end 42. The second hanger 7 comprises a first end 7a connected to the second end 2b of the towing cable 2 and a second end 7b attached to the towed body 4 at a second attachment point 45 of the towed body 4 located near the second longitudinal end 43. The two attachment points 44 and 45 are spaced from each other according to the longitudinal axis I. The second fixing point 45 is integral with the first fixing point 44.

[0148] The term “fixing point” is understood to mean the point at which the hanger exerts a tensile force on the towed body 4. The tensile force exerted by the towing cable 2 on the hanger is transferred to the fixing point by the hanger.

[0149] In the example of the figures, the ends 6a and 7a are fixed relative to the end 2b of the towing cable 2.

[0150] The two lines can be attached to the towing cable.

[0151] Advantageously, each of the two lines has a lower stiffness than that of the towing cable 2.

[0152] As a variant, one of the two lines is a portion of the towing cable. In other words, the device comprises a continuous cable comprising the towing cable and the hanger and having a diameter. In other words, the diameter of the continuous cable is substantially the same over the entire length of the continuous cable. Advantageously, the stiffness of the continuous cable is substantially fixed along the continuous cable. In other words, the stiffness has substantially the same value over the entire length of the continuous cable.

[0154] The lines 6 and 7 are arranged so as to form a V when they are stretched. The V comprises a bottom to which the second end 2b of the cable is attached.

[0155] The hangers 6, 7 can be fixed permanently or removably to the towed body 4.

[0156] The towed body 4 can be connected to the towing cable by only two hangers including the first hanger 6 and the second hanger 7. In a variant, the sonar device has a set of at least one intermediate hanger connecting the towing cable to the towed body by being attached to the towed body at an attachment point arranged between the first attachment point 44 and the second attachment point 45.

[0157] The underwater device 1 may include a third hanger 8 comprising a first end 8a attached to the towed body 4 at a third attachment point 46 (which located at the level of the first longitudinal end 42, along the axis I, in the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 5) of the towed body 4 and a second end 8b connected to a first end 3a of the flexible elongated body 3 and a fourth hanger 9 comprising a first end 9a attached to the towed body 4 at a fourth point of attachment 47 (which is located at the level of the second longitudinal end 43, along the axis I, in the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 5) of the towed body 4 and a second end 9b connected to the first end 3a of the flexible elongate body 3. The third attachment point and the fourth attachment point 47 are integral with each other.

[0158] The variants of the positioning of the first attachment point and of the second attachment point described for the lines 6 and 7 are applicable to the new points of attachment of the lines 8 and 9 to the towed body 4. Likewise, the properties and the arrangement of the first line and the second line described above and their variants also apply to the third and fourth lines. In the example of the figures, the ends 8b and 9b are fixed relative to the end 3a of the flexible elongate element 3.

[0160] Advantageously, the third attachment point 46 of the first end 8a of the third hanger 8 is located at the same distance from the first longitudinal end 42 of the towed body 4 as the first attachment point 44 of the second end 6b of the first hanger 6 and the fourth fixing point 47 of the first end 9a of the fourth hanger 9 is located at the same distance from the second longitudinal end 43 of the towed body 4 as the second fixing point of the second end 7b of the second line 7.

[0161] As a variant, these distances are not all equal.

[0162] The lines 8 and 9 may have substantially the same length as the lines 6 and 7 or a different length.

[0163] The lines 8 and 9 are arranged so as to form a V when they are stretched. The V comprises a bottom integral with the first end 3a of the flexible elongate body 3.

The sonar device has, by virtue of its particular attachment device, the advantage of allowing the simple and relatively secure recovery and launching of the towed body 4 from a surface vessel B while maintaining the geometry of the linear transmitting antenna 40 fixed, which ensures easy adjustment of the device. The use of a swing arm or a crane is not essential.

[0165] The underwater device, initially submerged so that the towed body 4 is completely submerged, can be recovered and launched in a simple manner from the surface vessel B, by a light and simple handling device comprising: the winch 21 1 and a deflector 60 being a convex friction surface having the overall shape of a cylinder portion (not necessarily having a circular section) extending longitudinally along an axis of the deflector x, the deflector 60 being arranged so as to extend substantially horizontally, in calm sea conditions, and substantially perpendicular to a vertical plane substantially parallel to a traction axis exerted on the towing cable 2 by the handling device during a first winding step during which the first drum 13 is driven in rotation around the first axis x1 with respect to the frame 12, so that the traction cable 2 comes to wind around the first drum 13. [0166] The deflector 60 is further arranged so that the first hanger 6 and the second hanger 7 bear on the deflector 60 to be deflected by the deflector 60 during the first winding step so that the axis longitudinal I extends substantially parallel to the x axis of the deflector 60, when the towed body 4 is fully emerged and suspended from the lines 6 and 7, as can be seen in FIG. 6 and explained in more detail below. The lines 6 and 7 are then taut and linear between the deflector 60 and the elongated body 4. In other words, when the towed body 4 is suspended from the lines 6 and 7 deflected by the deflector 60, the longitudinal axis I is substantially parallel to the deflector axis x.

[0167] Indeed, as shown in Figure 5, when the underwater device is towed by the surface vessel B, the towed body 4 being completely submerged and towed via the towing cable 2, the two hangers 6 and 7 are substantially tensioned and the towed body 4 is substantially vertical (that is to say with its longitudinal axis substantially vertical) due to the hydrostatic forces and the drag forces acting on the towed body when the shape of the elongated body is adapted, for example when the shape of the towed body 4 is substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis I and with respect to a plane containing the longitudinal axis I intended to contain the towing cable during towing.

[0168] The towing cable 2 is suitable for resting on the deflector 60 so as to be deflected by the deflector 60 in the vertical plane containing the towing cable 2 during towing of the sonar device, the elongated body being totally submerged. This is true when the vessel's towing speed is less than or equal to a certain threshold for a given location of the handling device on board surface vessel B.

[0169] As long as the towed body 4 is completely submerged (even when stationary), the towed body 4 remains substantially vertical (longitudinal axis I substantially vertical) due to the hydrostatic forces when it is configured to be substantially vertical when ' it is subjected only to Archimedes' thrust and to gravity, for example when it comprises a float near the second end 43 and a ballast near the first end 42. [0170] During a first winding step, during which the first drum 13 is driven in rotation around the first axis x1, the towing cable 2 is wound around the first drum 13.

When the first hanger 6 comes to rest on the deflector 60 and is deflected by the deflector 60, the towed body 4 tilts under the effect of its weight, the second end 43 of the towed body 4 bringing with it the second end 7b of the second line 7 which tends to remain taut. The towed body 4 thus tilts progressively during the first winding step, that is to say when the rotation of the first drum 13 around the axis x1 continues in the same direction so that the cable 2 exerts on the lines 6, 7, a traction towards the first drum in a plane substantially perpendicular to the x axis, until the second line 7 comes to rest on the deflector 60 to be deflected by the deflector 60.

[0172] When the two lines 6 and 7 are supported and deflected by the deflector 60 they are stretched between the deflector 60 and the towed object 4. As the two lines 6 and 7 have substantially the same length and the deflector 60 has a substantially fixed section along the x axis, the portions of the lines 6 and 7 located between their respective bearing zones on the deflector 60 and the towed body 4 have the same length and the towed body 4 adopts, by state of calm sea, a so-called handling orientation in which the longitudinal axis I is substantially parallel to the x axis of the deflector 60.

By continuing the rotation of the first drum 13 in the same direction, the towed body 4 fully emerged suspended from the lines 6 and 7 has, in calm sea conditions, the handling attitude in which its longitudinal axis I is substantially parallel to the axis of the deflector as shown in Figure 6. In rough sea conditions, the orientation of the towed body 4 may vary but it is held more and more firmly in the handling orientation as the towed body 4 moves. moves closer to the deflector 60, that is to say as the length of the portions of the lines 6 and 7 located between their bearing zones on the deflector 60 and the towed body 4 decreases. The freedom of movement of the towed body 4 is reduced, until it comes to bear on the deflector 60 and is recovered on board the surface vessel B as visible in FIG. 6. Conversely, during a method of launching the underwater device, the towed body is maintained substantially in the handling orientation by the two lines resting on the deflector until its immersion.

[0175] The attachment device by lines 6, 7 of the underwater device makes it possible to secure the launching and recovery of a towed body 4 from a surface vessel B which limits the risk of impacts between the towed body 4 and the stern PO of the surface vessel B. This underwater device is, due to the simplicity and relative security of the recovery and launching of the towed body 4 from a vessel of surface, well suited for use on board a USV. Furthermore, the recovery of the towed body 4 in the handling orientation makes it possible to provide an opening of reduced height at the rear of the surface building and to avoid the formation of trenches in the deck of the surface building and to limit the size of the storage area for this body along an axis that is substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the x axis. The handling orientation also promotes its stable and space-saving storage on the drum of a winch with an axis substantially parallel to the x-axis.

[0176] The x axis is advantageously substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the surface building. This allows the towed body to be stored while being maintained in roll and pitch.

[0177] The deflector 60 has substantially the shape of an angular portion, formed around the x axis, of an x axis cylinder. In the particular and non-limiting embodiment of FIGS. 5 to 7, the deflector 60 is formed by a roller mounted to rotate relative to the supporting building about its axis of rotation x. This makes it possible to limit the friction between the deflector 60 and the sonar device during the launching and recovery operations. As a variant, the roller R is fixed relative to the surface building B.

[0178] In the embodiment of Figures 5 to 7, the handling device comprises a set of adjacent cylindrical R rollers with longitudinal axes substantially parallel to each other and aligned along a substantially horizontal axis in calm sea conditions and perpendicular to the sea. 'x axis.

Advantageously, the rollers R are configured and arranged so that the towed body 4, oriented so that the axis I is substantially parallel to the x axis, is able to rest on two rollers R which prevent the movement of the towed body 4 along the axis along which the rollers R are aligned. Thus, the two adjacent rollers form a nest making it possible to store the towed body 4.

[0180] The axis along which the R rollers are aligned may be horizontal in calm sea conditions, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, or tilted relative to the horizontal in calm sea conditions. The inclination is favorable to a stable maintenance of the towed body in pitch under the effect of gravity and the traction of the lines. In addition, the inclination allows easy return to the water.

[0181] Advantageously, the rollers R are dimensioned so that the towed body 4 resting on two adjacent rollers is only in direct physical contact with the two adjacent rollers R. This limits the risk of damage to the towed body 4.

[0182] In Figures 5 to 7, the x axis of the deflector 60 is substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation x1 of the first drum 13. This allows easy insertion of the towed body 4 in the volume 240 through the receiving opening. 215. These axes could alternatively not be parallel, for example in the case where a pulley deviates, in a horizontal plane, the axis of the towing cable 2 between the deflector 60 and the first drum.

[0183] In Figures 5 to 7, the hangers 6 and 7 are fixed to the longitudinal ends of the elongated body. In other words, the fixing points 44 and 45 are located at the level, that is to say at zero distance, from the respective longitudinal ends 42 and 43 along the longitudinal axis I. This embodiment makes it possible to limit the risks of entrapment of the extremities of the elongated body during its recovery.

[0184] In a less advantageous variant, at least one of the two fixing points 44 and 45 is located at a distance, along the longitudinal axis I, from the longitudinal end near which it is located.

Advantageously, the distance separating the first fixing point 44 from the first longitudinal end 42 along the axis I is substantially the same as the distance separating the second fixing point 45 from the second longitudinal end 43 along the axis I This makes it possible to promote the vertical orientation of the longitudinal transmitting antenna when towing. As a variant, these two distances are different but it is less advantageous for the stability of the towed body when towing.

In the nonlimiting embodiment of Figures 5 and 6, the two lines 6 and 7 are too short for the first line 6 to rest on the deflector 60 and deflected by the deflector 60 while the towed body 4 is still immersed. The tilting of the towed body 4 under the effect of its weight when the end 43 emerges from the water is limited by the traction exerted by the flexible elongated body 3 on the towed body 4 as it exits the water. The traction exerted by the flexible elongated element 3 on the towed body 4 via the third hanger 8 and the fourth hanger 9 limits the inclination of the towed body 4 with respect to the vertical plane containing the traction cable 2. Furthermore, the traction exerted by the elongated flexible element 3 on the towed body away from the stern of the surface vessel. The presence of the flexible elongated body makes it possible to limit the risk of collisions with the surface building.

[0187] As a variant, if the two lines 6 and 7 are long enough for the first line 6 to rest on the deflector 60 and deflected by the deflector while the towed body 4 is still submerged, then the traction exerted by the flexible elongated body 3 on the towed body retains the towed body and slows its tilting when it comes out of the water until the two lines come to bear on the deflector 60 and are deflected by the deflector 60. Thus, the The orientation of the towed body is even better controlled.

[0188] In Figures 5 to 7, the handling device comprises a deflector 60 disposed upstream of the first drum 13, seen from the towed body 4 the first line 6 and the second line 7 initially submerged, during the first step of winding. In other words, the lines are able to come to rest on the deflector 60 before coming to wind around the first drum 13 during the first winding step.

[0189] More particularly, the deflector 60 is arranged near the stern of the surface vessel B so that the towed body 4 has the handling orientation (x substantially parallel to I) before it arrives on board the surface vessel B. The deflector 60 is, for example, the first element of the handling device and / or of the surface building encountered by the lines during a method for recovering / storing the sonar device initially deployed and towed by the surface vessel. This makes it possible to limit the risks of collisions between the towed body 4 and the stern of the ship. This also makes it possible to avoid the design of large openings at the rear of the supporting building to allow a linear transmission antenna to be recovered and to avoid creating a trench (“recess” in English terminology) in the bridge. of the surface building in order to be able to store a linear transmitting antenna that is too high to be housed between the main deck and the upper deck.

[0190] The deflector 160 of the handling device of Figures 2 and 3 differs from that of Figures 5 to 7 in that it is closer to the first drum 13 and, more particularly, to the opening 15 so that the body towed through opening 15 substantially in the handling orientation (I substantially parallel to the axis of the deflector along which the deflector 160 extends longitudinally). This makes it possible to limit the risks of collisions between the towed body 4 and the second drum 14 when it passes through the receiving opening 15 and thus to limit the risks of jamming when it arrives on the drum. This also allows, when the axis of the deflector is substantially parallel to the axis x1, to bring naturally and without the intervention of a tool or an operator, the towed body 4 in an orientation favorable to the crossing of the receiving opening 15 and its stable and easy storage on the first drum 13 (axis I substantially parallel to the axis x1), the towed body 4 being able to be kept resting on the first drum 13 over its entire length. In the non-limiting example of Figures 2 and 3, the deflector 160 is disposed upstream of the drum 13 and mounted on the second drum 14 so as to delimit the receiving opening 15.

[0191] More generally, a deflector 160 can be arranged so that the towed body 4 passes through the opening 15 substantially in the handling orientation and / or comes to rest on the drum 13 substantially in the handling orientation. .

This type of deflector 160 is arranged between the stern of the surface vessel and the first drum 13 for example, between a deflector 60 and the first drum 13. This deflector 160 is, for example, part of the winch being, by example, arranged upstream of the first drum 13, for example upstream of the opening of reception 15 (during the first winding step), or at the reception opening 15.

[0193] Different deflectors occupying different positions described above can, as a variant, be provided in the same handling device.

[0194] It should be noted that the first drum 13 also constitutes a deflector. In a variant not shown, the handling device comprises a single deflector formed by the first drum 13.

[0195] The underwater system is in no way limited to an underwater device of the type comprising a towed body 4 attached to the cable 2 and to the flexible elongate body 3 as in FIGS. 5 to 7. Alternatively in FIGS. 5 to 7, the elongated body is, for example, connected to the towing cable by means of a body on which it is mounted to pivot about an axis of rotation so as to be able to pass from the vertical position in submerged towing to a position capture in which its longitudinal axis extends substantially parallel to the axis x1 during the first towing phase.

[0196] The control device for controlling the handling device (coupling / decoupling means, first coupling / decoupling means, drive means, immobilization means, opening means) can comprise one or more dedicated electronic circuits. or a general purpose circuit. Each electronic circuit can include a reprogrammable computing machine (a processor or a microcontroller for example) and / or a computer executing a program comprising a sequence of instructions and / or a dedicated computing machine (for example a set of logic gates such as an FPGA, DSP or ASIC, or any other hardware module).

[0197] In the examples shown in the figures, the winch comprises a single second drum 14. In a more complex variant, the winch comprises a set of several second drums as defined above. These second drums have different diameters so as to surround each other. Each second drum 14 has an opening giving access to the volume located between this second drum and the drum of directly smaller diameter. This allows, for example, to recover different towed bodies in the volume delimited between each second drum and the diameter drum. directly lower or to be able to wind portions of flexible elongated elements of different flexibility on drums of different diameters.

[0198] All the drums can be coupled in rotation and each drum can be decoupled in rotation from the other drums.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and 5 to 7, the underwater device comprises a single towed body.

[0200] As a variant, the underwater device comprises a set of several towed bodies. The handling device can then include one or more second drums.

[0201] Each towed body is advantageously elongated along a longitudinal axis and has the same length, but this is not mandatory.

The underwater device comprises, for example, a set of several towed bodies 4. The towed bodies 4 are connected to each other, to the towing cable 2 and to the flexible elongate element 3 so as to be distributed over the along a curved tow line defined by the towing cable and the flexible elongate member when the underwater device is towed by the surface vessel, the towed body assembly being distributed along the tow line.

[0203] An example of this type of device is shown in Figure 12. The underwater device 1000 comprises several towed bodies 4 distributed along the tow line defined by the cable 2 and the flexible elongated body 3 and drawn in lines. dotted lines between the two. The towed bodies 4 are connected to each other by intermediate lines 1001 a, 1001 b.

[0204] The system is, for example, configured so as to store or allow several towed bodies to bear on the first drum 13 or, more generally, between the first drum 13 and the second drum 14 or so as to store or allow different towed bodies to be stored in successive volumes defined between successive adjacent drums or resting on successive drums.

In the example of FIG. 12, the towed bodies 4 are connected two by two by intermediate lines 1001 a, 1001 b via lines. Each intermediate body is fixed to a first and a second hanger 6, 7 connecting it to the tractor cable and a third and fourth hanger 8, 9 connecting it to the flexible elongated body.

[0206] As a variant, in the underwater device 1002 of FIG. 13, the towed bodies 4 are connected in pairs by sets of intermediate lines 1003, 1004 and 1005, 1006. One of the towed bodies is attached to a first and a second hanger 6, 7 connecting it to the cable. This towed body is connected to the adjacent towed body by several intermediate lines 1003,1004, substantially parallel in towing. This towed body is itself connected to the last adjacent towed body by intermediate lines 1005,1006. The last towed body is attached to a third and a fourth hanger 8, 9 connecting it to the flexible elongated body.

[0207] Each intermediate line is a flexible elongate element which can be produced in the form of a cable, for example an electric traction cable. Each intermediate line can include at least an electroacoustic transducer. It can integrate an acoustic antenna, for example, an acoustic reception antenna.

Claims

1. Handling device (10) intended to be installed on a surface vessel (B) to allow the storage and deployment of an underwater device (1) intended to be towed by the surface vessel and comprising a towing cable (2 ), a flexible elongate body (3) and a set of at least one towed body (4), located between the flexible elongate body (3) and the towing cable (2), the handling device (10) comprising a winch (1 1) comprising a frame (12) intended to be fixed to a structure (S) of the surface building (B), and a first drum (13) capable of rotating relative to the frame (12) around a first axis of rotation (x1) and a set of at least a second drum (14) surrounding the first drum (13) and being able to rotate relative to the frame (12) about a second axis of rotation (x2) substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation (x1), the winch (1 1) being able to be in a decoupling state in which the first drum (13) and the second ta mbour are decoupled in rotation around the first axis of rotation (x1) and the second axis of rotation (x2), so as to allow the towing cable to be wound around the first drum (13) during a first winding step during which the first drum is driven in rotation about the first axis (x1), the second drum (14) being adapted to be in an open state, in which the second drum (14) has a receiving opening (15) capable of to be traversed by the towed body (4) to penetrate inside the volume which surrounds the first drum (13) and which is surrounded by the second drum (14), the winch (1 1) being able to be in a coupling state in which the first drum (13) and the second drum (14) are rotatably coupled about the second axis of rotation (x2), so as to allow the flexible elongate body to be wound around the second axis of rotation during a second winding step during which the second drum ( 14) is rotated around the second axis (x2).

2. Handling device according to the preceding claim, the second drum (14) is adapted to be in an angular receiving position, around the second axis (x2) relative to the frame (12), wherein the receiving opening ( 15) is intended to be traversed by the towing cable (2) and the towed body (4) during the first winding stage.

3. Handling device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving opening (15) is elongated along the first axis of rotation (x1).

4. A handling device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first drum (13) and the second drum (14) are concentric.

5. Handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second axis of rotation (x2) is remote from the first axis of rotation (x1).

6. Handling device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second drum 2 (14) is adapted to be alternately in the open state and in a closed state in which the receiving opening (15) is at less partially closed.

7. Handling device according to the preceding claim, wherein at least a second drum (214) comprises a movable cover (213) relative to a first part of the second drum, the cover being adapted to be in a first position in which the cover (213) opens the second drum (214) so that it includes the receiving opening and in a second position in which the cover (213) substantially closes the receiving opening so that the second drum has substantially a cylindrical shape.

8. Handling device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a trancanning device (T) capable of ordering a winding of the tractor cable (2) on the winch (1 1), the trancanning device (T) comprising two lateral deflectors (61, 62) spaced along the first axis of rotation (x1), the cross-cutting device (T) being able to be in a cutting state in which a small distance separates the side deflectors (61, 62) according to the first axis of rotation (x1) and in a receiving state in which a greater distance separates the baffles (61, 62).

9. Handling device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an assembly of several second drums.

10. An underwater system comprising the handling device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims and the underwater device (1).

11. The submarine system according to the preceding claim, wherein the towed body (4) incorporates an antenna for transmitting acoustic waves, the flexible elongate body (3) comprising a receiving antenna (50) comprising a plurality of transducers. electro-acoustic distributed along the flexible elongated body (3).

12. The submarine system of claim 11, wherein the towed body is an elongated body along a longitudinal axis (I), the transmitting antenna comprising a plurality of electro-acoustic transducers (41) distributed along the axis. longitudinal (I).

13. The underwater system of claim 11, wherein the towed body is a compact hydrodynamic body having a generally flattened shape and being suspended from the towing cable when the handling device is deployed.

14. An underwater system according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the handling device is configured so as to allow the towed body (4) to be stored in a volume surrounding the first drum and being surrounded by the second. drum without the towed body (4) exiting radially from the volume.

15. A submarine system according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the submarine system is configured such that, during the first winding step, the towed body passes through the receiving opening (15 ) in an orientation in which the longitudinal axis (I) is substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation (x1) and / or so that the towed body (4) comes close to the load-bearing vessel in the orientation in which the longitudinal axis (I) is substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation (x1).

16. System according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the handling device is configured to implement the following steps, during a method of storing the underwater device initially deployed:

the first winding step (100) in which the first drum (13) of the winch (1 1) being in the decoupling state, is rotated about the first axis of rotation (x1) relative to the frame ( 12) so as to wind the towing cable (2) around the first drum (13), the towing cable (2) passing through the receiving opening (15), and so that the towed body (4) enters the volume (140) delimited by the second drum (14) through the opening of receiving (15), followed by a winding step (120) in which the second drum (14) of the winch in the coupling state is rotated about the second axis of rotation (x2) so winding the flexible linear element around the second drum (14).

17. The underwater system of any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the underwater device comprises an assembly of a plurality of towed bodies.